But Lewis did not reply, he was hurrying into his clothes with greater rapidity than ever before, and when Sir Evas stepped into the carriage he did not see that Lewis Waycott jumped in too, just as the train was starting.
CHAPTER XXXI.
HOME AGAIN.
Hardly had Maud, Toney, and Dr. Latham reached Waycott Hall in the grey light of morning, than a rider galloped up. It was Edward Lang, who threw himself off his saddle to greet the girls.
"We heard such stories that I simply threw myself on Tempest and galloped here. You were reported dead, Miss Whitburn—are you hurt, Miss Hamilton? They sent me on here from Aldersfield."
"Toney's arm is burnt, I was only a spectator."
"The fire is being got under, but the left wing looks bad." He kept close to Maud and looked more at her than at Toney. Maud told the tale. Toney did not care to talk about it, so she left them to go and find her aunt, and met Miss Honoria, Mrs. Hamilton, and Miss Grossman looking for her.
"My dear child," cried Miss Honoria, kissing her, "is your arm bad? You must go to bed."
"We are all proud of you," said Mrs. Hamilton, conquered at last, for personal courage was her special admiration, "Miss Grossman told us all. Lady Dove has gone to bed and begged not to be disturbed, so you had better not see her yet, she is much shaken."
"How did you get through?" said Toney to the companion. "Aunt Dove couldn't move, I think fear paralyzed her, and, gracious stars! the shoot just finished her for a moment. We had to use force, I couldn't go down on her head, and by the time I could I had to move away from it along the sill, out of reach. But you know, Miss Honoria, Jim saved me. I was holding on for all I was worth, but—oh, I couldn't have done it half a minute longer."